Tipsters narrow search for fugitive hairdresser

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LONDON, Ont. -- Police believe they may be closing in on suspected killer Boris Panovski.

Since Friday, when the OPP first revealed Panovski's name and photograph, citizens have phoned in tips and helped police narrow down their manhunt for the 70-year-old hairdresser and former dog trainer wanted in the shooting death of a Toronto-area construction executive in a marsh near Clinton, Ont., a week ago.

"There have been 19 tips, several of which provided considerable advancement to the investigation," OPP Det.-Supt. Dave Truax said Sunday. "We are pleased with the response from the public."

Panovski is wanted in the fatal shooting of Don Frigo, 70, of Caledon, Ont., and shooting a woman who witnesses say is Frigo's wife Eva, in the face in a marsh near Clinton Sept. 13.

Police searched Panovski's east-end Toronto home but he was already gone, leading to speculation among those who know him about where he might have gone.

Neighbours at Panovski's building said they saw him leaving last the afternoon of Sept. 14 -- three days before the OPP and Toronto police showed up looking for him.

He wasn't seen with luggage at the time, but drove off in the blue four-door Toyota sedan that police are searching for.

Some who know him think he returned to his native Macedonia. Sources told QMI Agency the search is likely focused on his homeland and other countries in the region.

But a friend, who asked not to be named, said Panovski may have headed south to an area he knew well.

"He travelled to Cuba two or three times every winter to get away from the cold," the friend said.

The friend said he has only known Panovski to travel to Europe once in the last eight or nine years.

Police won't disclose the relationship between Panovski and Frigo, but QMI Agency reported the two were connected by a dog, Silver, who went on to win field dog championships and sire champions. Success came for Frigo while Panovski, who had sold him the pup, spiralled downward towards bankruptcy and divorce. He was also banned from competition.

Court documents paint a bleak picture of his finances. By the time Panovski's bankruptcy was discharged in March 2013, four years after he sought bankruptcy protection, he had turned 65 and was living pension cheque to pension cheque -- $1,589 a month, according to those financial records.

Now that he is on the lam, Panovski is likely armed, OPP warn. He also may look different, with grey hair now and not the brown seen in the photo released by the police.